Fears Beaumaris Pier could "deteriorate"

FEARS have been raised that the £5.4 million refurbished Beaumaris Pier will “deteriorate” if it is not maintained properly.

The pier, which was renovated in 2012, has allegedly damaged a number of boats with its exposed metal fendering, while town councillors are also concerned that maintenance works are not being carried out by Anglesey County Council.

At a meeting on Monday evening, the town council unanimously agreed to approach Anglesey council over the possibility of ring-fencing a proportion of business rates raised by the pier to fund the future maintenance of the structure.

County councillor Carwyn Jones, who was a speaker at the meeting, said: "There is no money allocated in the budget for repairs and maintenance [of the pier]."

"That pier is so important, it's such a vital attraction and we've got to maintain it or it will deteriorate."

Town councillor Dan Jones said: “We get thousands of people on the pier every day, it needs looking after.”

Mayor of Beaumaris, cllr Ian Davies: "Certainly we should ring fence any commercial income made at the pier. Any maritime income which comes from mooring fees, it's right to ask for that for it to pay for the pier."

Cllr Stan Zalot: “The light isn’t working either, I’ve complained and complained about it and there’s still no light at the end of the tunnel.

"You don’t buy a Rolls Royce and let it rot."

Cllr Jason Zalot added: “Where will it be in five years’ time with no maintenance? That’s what concerns me.”

An Anglesey County Council spokesperson said: “We have not yet received a formal request from Beaumaris Town Council to ring fence income associated with Beaumaris Pier for its future maintenance.